policies

payment

Payment is taken at the time of booking, unless you have arranged with me to pay at the time of booking. Payment in advance is accepted via credit or debit card through my online scheduler. Payment at your appointment is accepted via cash, check, or Venmo.

scheduling / cancellation

If you have symptoms of any communicable illness, please do not come in. Let me know as soon as possible, and you will not be charged.

I ask at least 48 hours notice to cancel or reschedule appointments, except in case of emergency. If you cancel within 48 hours of your appointment, you will be charged 50% cost of the appointment. If you cancel within 24 hours of your appointment, you will be charged 100% of the cost.

Late arrivals: I will wait until 15 minutes past our appointment time. If you arrive within that time, we can do the session minus the amount of time you missed. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, you forfeit the session and are responsible for the cost.

No-shows: Except in case of emergency, you will be charged the full cost of the session.

If you need accommodations around scheduling because of disability or other life circumstances, contact me directly.

confidentiality

Everything we do in any type of session is confidential and by your consent only, with very limited exceptions. I will never share your private information unless legally mandated to do so.

scope of practice

I am a licensed massage therapist. I am not a medical doctor, chiropractor, or mental health therapist, and am not licensed to diagnose or treat any illness.

I am able to offer services which may support the healing of various injuries and illnesses, as part of a holistic health care team. Massage therapy is proven to support overall mental and physical well being in a multitude of ways.

As a ritualist, I am not licensed by any formal institution. See more about my background and training in this work on my “about” page.

professional ethics

As a massage therapist, I work within a professional framework designed to keep myself and my clients as safe as possible. These professional standards include:

  • Massage therapy is a licensed and regulated healthcare field. It does not include any type of sexual service or activity.

  • Massage clients will remain draped (covered) with sheets and/or blankets for the duration of the session, except the body area being worked on.

  • My space and equipment will be clean and hygienic.

  • I will keep my license to practice, insurance coverage, and all other legal aspects of my practice current to protect the safety of my clients.

  • I will continue to train and expand my knowledge and skills as a practitioner.

  • I will refer to other healthcare professionals if I am not able to treat a client.

  • Both client and practitioner have the right to end the session at any time, for any reason.

insurance

Currently I am not able to accept insurance. I may in the future.

massage sessions: what to expect

You will arrive to my office building at 302 Columbia St. NW, park in the reserved lot, and let me know via text that you’ve arrived. I will let you in, show you to my office and orient you in the space.

If you are a new client, we will do a health history and intake, so I can learn about your unique body and experience. We will make a treatment plan together, and decide what to prioritize in the current session.

I will step out, you can dress down to your comfort level (fully clothed is always an option!), and get under the sheets on the table. After checking in, I will reenter and start your massage. Bolsters, pillows, table heater, and extra linens will be available for comfort, and there will be gentle music playing.

After massage, I will leave the room for you to dress, do a short check in and aftercare coaching, and send you on your way, hopefully feeling great!

covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing and continuing to harm our most vulnerable community members. In my practice, I use standard healthcare safety precautions, with some flexibility to client need and preference. These include:

  • I will wear a mask by default

  • Clients are not required to mask, but I will have KN95 masks available for those who want them

  • Thorough sanitizing of all surfaces and equipment between clients

  • High volume HEPA air purifier running at all times

  • Contact tracing and communication with all clients if someone does get sick

trauma, spirit and our bodies

Working with touch, energy, spirituality and anything close to our deeper selves can be intense! It can also be gentle and restful. Either way, it tends to reach deeply into us, which can sometimes catch people off guard. Especially if health conditions are flaring, trauma is present, or we are experiencing other hardship.

I encourage potential clients to be gentle with themselves. While I am trauma-aware and informed by experience, I am not a mental health professional or doctor, nor can I change the conditions of another’s life. Know that in our work you are the authority on your own health and what is right for you.

political + spiritual grounding

I orient my practice around the goals of healing, justice and liberation for all beings. Some ideas that shape and inform my work include the following (links to learn more).